title: [Increased CK activity in serum without symptoms: further investigations often unnecessary].
abstract: Increased activity of the enzyme creatine kinase (CK) in serum is not infrequently encountered in routine diagnostic laboratory investigations. Patients are often referred to a neurologist specialized in neuromuscular disorders for evaluation. However, as in many cases hyperCKemia is physiological or results from physical activity or muscle trauma, further investigations are often unnecessary. We report four cases of hyperCKemia, two of which were physiological or due to non-neuromuscular factors (medication, physical activity). In the other two patients, the hyperCKemia was the first recognized sign of an underlying neuromuscular disorder. In these two cases, specific aspects of the history or physical examination prompted further investigations. We discuss various physiological and other non-neuromuscular factors that may cause hyperCKemia. It is important to recognize these causes before referral to a neurologist with neuromuscular expertise. We present guidelines for ancillary investigations by general practitioners or specialists.
authors.affiliation: Universitair Medisch Centrum St Radboud, afd. Neurologie, Nijmegen.
authors.forename: Nicol C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Voermans
authors.forename: Marianne
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de Visser
authors.forename: John H J
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Wokke
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Brusse
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000201:enzymology / Q000502:physiology; D009468:Neuromuscular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000201:enzymology*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D003402:Creatine Kinase